Not every girl has the privilege to call her sister her better half. Leah and I have had each other's backs since 1994. We had our own creative worlds and many would say practically our own language. Some of my hardest times were the first few weeks when she went off to college. May 23rd will be the first day I live without Leah (with the exception of a few college years). Leah hasn't gotten enough credit for being my therapist, my accountability partner, and my inspiration to be a genuinely passionate teacher. And kudos to her for keeping Joseph's proposal a secret for the longest! Favorite memories: Staying up past midnight watching Korean dramas with that fresh Aldi salsa.

If you're visiting from out of town, you might mistake Nathan for my older brother on account of his height. Though he's got almost 3 1/2 inches on me, I've got 3 1/2 years on him and like to remind him of that periodically. Thanks to stunning intellect and maturity, Nathan often felt more like a peer than a little brother as we grew up and shared many of the same passions in cars, technology, and photography. Now in his college years, Nathan is putting that intellect to good use studying aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech. Though we don't get the chance to goof off quite as often anymore, Nathan remains a friend, an advisor, a partner in crime, and everything I could hope to have in a brother. Favorite memories: acting as Nathan's personal stylist because he hates shopping for clothing, watching Top Gear together and laughing to the point of tears, and playing daily games of ping pong in high school (we once kept an Excel spreadsheet of the running series, and last I checked, Nathan was up about a half dozen games).

For the better part of a decade now, Andrew and I have gotten together about once every month just to chat about life and how we're doing. In the old days, it was Taco Bell and a Baja Blast freeze every month. Though we have since upgraded to local coffee houses and YourPie, the authenticity in this friendship was never founded on the food. Andrew has always asked me tough questions and provided sound advice, and for that, I am sincerely thankful to have him as a friend. Favorite memories: Late night karaoke in the youth modular at church, Six Flags trips in every season with every friend under the sun, and the days when Andrew wore XLs for the street cred.

Abigail has the innate selfless heart that seems to come with the Cissell name. Nevertheless, as the youngest, she also embodies that admirable, fearless quality of marching to the beat of her own drum. Her bubbly personality is infectious, and I can always count on her to want to play a game, watch a movie, or go out and seek adventure, no matter how many people are up for it. I am so blessed to have gained another sister! Favorite memories: Real talks in the pool all afternoon and being the first to make me tear up the day of the engagement when she said, "I finally have a sister!"

It's hard for me to even pinpoint when I first met Caroline, but I believe this year marks 20+ years of celebrating our priceless friendship. It is so rare that one stays close to the person they threw barbie shoes at in a crazy tantrum, but with her I am happy to say we have beat the odds. Our connection was inevitable at the time, being that there were not many children our age to bond with in our church family. However, God works everything out for good, and we grew to be inseparable, even after moving to different communities. I loved how we shared passions, whether it was writing hilariously unrealistic stories or stressing over imperfect lesson plans. Thank you, Caroline, for never being afraid to tell it like it is, and for being my amazing calligrapher. Favorite memories: Nancy Drew computer games (of course) with microwave popcorn, deep talks and road trips.

David might be the newest friend among my groomsmen, but that hasn't stopped him from making an impact on my life. We met through a complex scheme to get into upperclassmen housing as sophomores when I ultimately agreed to live with "that guy who always takes real silverware to the dining hall." I soon discovered a man with unparalleled creativity for pranks, a love for fine leather goods, and a brilliant mind to boot. We were fast friends, and it has been a blast ever since. Favorite memories: Driving around Berry's campus hanging out the sunroof of a car with a megaphone in hand blasting positive messages and "Eye of the Tiger" to the world, watching David shine leather shoes at 1am on a Friday night, and capturing the Dana/Thomas Berry lifeguard stand as Centennial's new lobby furniture.

Everyone knows that when you find out who your college roommates are, the first thing you do is Facebook stalk, obviously. In all honesty, out of the four, Emily was the one I thought I would have the least of a connection with. As it turns out, the Lord proved me wrong. She was the only one who could get my Seinfeld and Flight of the Conchord references, and that is kind of a big deal. A girl from a small town, but with a big vision, Emily got me out of my comfort zone and I am all the better for it. No matter what I am going through, she knows exactly how to make me laugh. Favorite memories: When I had an emotional breakdown finally realizing what I wanted to do with my life, and Emily drove me to her favorite cemetery with the windows down, playing Noah and the Whale.

Alex was my first roommate during my freshman year of college, and we were paired using a questionnaire that barely asked for your name. The first few days were a little quiet... until I discovered Alex's early 2000s Irish Green Audi A6. What followed were lively discussions on the merits of every vehicle imaginable, Forza Motorsport sessions where we set lap times on the digital Nürburgring, and Friday laps on our own 30-mile circuit around the backroads of northwest Georgia. Combine all that with a shared love for pulling off some exceptional pranks, and we've been easy friends ever since. Favorite memories: trekking through the ice in said Audi after being snowed in for three days to get Rome's most average Chinese at Tang's Garden, planning out elaborate costumes to get on the Mountain Day Olympics parade float every year, and the winter of 2013-2014 when we left our dorm window open 24/7 just for kicks.

The Future Heart-Breaker. Julian first made me an aunt and I couldn't be happier. He loves all things trains, and is a killer with puzzles and acquiring new vocabulary. His greatest weakness is Barnes and Noble. Just wait until you see him in a tux! Favorite memories: Going to Providence Canyon and Callaway Gardens together, when he first said my name (and Joseph's!), and wanted to swim with me in Grandma and Grandpa's pool.

Capturing hearts since 2017, Vincent is the most adorable Mr. Fix-it. He is pyro king, and a whiz with a vacuum. Loves all things Daniel the Tiger and remote controls. His greatest weakness? The deep hum of a lawn mower. With sunglasses and an envious tan, this little cool guy has me in awe with how he figures out how to work anything and everything. Favorite memories: Twirling him around in the stroller in Charleston and when he first shouted "I wuv (love) you!" when babysitting him.